Good practice notes offer practical advice and examples of good practice to guide operations in regard to specific, higher education issues. The good practice notes are intended to support and promote the quality assurance approaches of providers. This Good Practice Note is intended to support higher education providers to better understand,…

The increasing use of the CAS standards as a comprehensive assessment approach in divisions of student affairs necessitates a more in-depth understanding of how the CAS standards are being implemented in these settings. In response to increasing calls for improvement, accountability and professionalism in student affairs (Bresciani, 2006; Cooper…

The role of the chief student affairs officer (CSAO) has become paramount to the stability of colleges and universities. Since the CSAO typically determines the direction and framework for the student affairs program, the purpose of this study was to identify CSAOs' levels of agreement on the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) for…

A discussion of the need for and possible approaches to evaluating student support services emphasizes the importance of using objectives, strategies, and traditional and nontraditional outcome variables for a thorough assessment. (MSE)

Explores the importance of leadership, vision, purpose, organizational culture, motivation, and change as aspects of organizational life that Total Quality Management (TQM) does not adequately address. Offers the concept of learning organizations as a preferable approach, arguing that this method is a needed element in the leadership and…

Additional readings concerning the two themes of (1) organizational effectiveness as a consequence of managerial action and (2) assessment of services seen as assessment of staff are presented. Sources on staff renewal as a form of staff evaluation are highlighted. (MSE)

Institutions increasingly use alumni feedback in such areas as program review, curricular planning, budget allocation, student assessment, services, and recruitment. The Ohio University alumni research program is described. (MLW)

The processes and results of the University of Colorado at Boulder's streamlining of student services are outlined. The review and planning procedures included preparation of departmental annual reports, a revised academic services mission statement, a prioritizing programs exercise, a process exercise, budget reallocation recommendations,…

This long-range plan for the Pennsylvania College of Technology (PCT) is divided into three main sections. Part I provides an overview of planning at PCT, including a definition of long-range planning, the college philosophy, mission, and vision statements, major institutional initiatives for 1991-92, and accreditation agency recommendations…

A conceptual framework for educational outcomes (the Outcomes Structure) developed at the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) is addressed in seven papers. The first five papers consider the Outcomes Structure and its general application; the remaining two papers concern the applications of the Outcomes Structure in…

Issues in evaluating the quality and effectiveness of student services for a new population of students are examined, including: the place of student development; basic services; the relationship of services to institutional mission; faculty, curriculum, and academic environment; defining quality; student information systems; and the relationship…

A study investigated the quality of services in four student enrollment services administrative sub-units (recruiting, admissions, records and registration, financial aid) at a public comprehensive university, using student and staff evaluations and program evaluations. Specific changes needed to improve service delivery are identified and…

This study examined State University of New York (SUNY) costs for support services to students, focusing particularly on why SUNY's costs are higher than those of similar states and where more efficiency might be achieved. The study involved the following elements: analysis of service costs for all SUNY campuses for fiscal year 1989-90; six visits…

Formally stating and assessing student learning outcomes (SLOs) is a new focus for California community colleges required by the 2002 Accreditation Standards. This paper, the first in a series, explores one aspect of this sea change across the state: the emergence of a new group of faculty leaders, Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment…

As a result of the 1984 National Council on Student Development (NCSD) Leadership Colloquium, a report was developed presenting a series of seven recommendations and accompanying strategies for strengthening student development services. Entitled, "Traverse City Statement: Toward the Future Vitality of Student Development Services," the report…